Method of assembling a non-metallic biopsy forceps jaw and a non-metallic biopsy forceps jaw

ABSTRACT

A biopsy forceps jaw device and method of assembling, comprising pivotally mounting to a single flat support having a single aperture a threaded, self-centering proximal end and a pointed distal end, an integrally connected non-metallic jaw assembly having a cutting plane. The integrally connected non-metallic jaw assembly pivots about a common axis within the single aperture allowing for rotation of the integrally connected non-metallic jaw assembly within the cutting plane. A pair of actuating wires for moving the integrally connected jaw non-metallic assembly from a closed position to an open position is attached to the integrally connected non-metallic jaw assembly. The threaded self-centering proximal end of single flat support and the pair of actuating wires are inserted into a tubular member. The integrally connected non-metallic jaw assembly and the single flat support are centered within the tubular member through the threaded self-centering proximal end.

[0001] This is a divisional application of pending prior applicationSer. No. 09/878,308 filed Jun. 12, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates in general to method of assembly for abiopsy forceps jaw and a biopsy forceps jaw and more particularly to amethod of assembly for a non-metallic biopsy forceps jaw and for thenon-metallic biopsy forceps jaw itself used for the removal of tissuesamples from a patient.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A number of different types of biopsy forceps devices have beendeveloped for taking tissue samples. Some of the biopsy devices take theform of a forceps design with opposing jaws or radial jaws in which thejaws have intermeshing teeth. When activated, the teeth cut the desiredtissue and the tissue is stored within the jaw itself. In general thesedevices have the majority of their design made out of metalliccomponents. This is specifically the case for the biopsy jaw itself. Ingeneral the method of assembly for most of these devices requiresmeticulous effort to align and secure the metallic components of thejaw. This results in costly and time consuming assembly.

[0004] The desire to find a less costly and less complicated method ofassembly has resulted in the use of some non-metallic components.Examples of prior art methods of assembly and biopsy forceps jaw devicesthat have been devised to address the aforenoted problems, include, U.S.Pat. No. 6,041,679 issued on Mar. 28, 2000 to Slater. This patentrelates to a non-metallic end effector for use in an endoscopic surgicaltool includes a metallic core for strength and for providing a selectedelectrode surface on the end effector. Selectively conductive endeffectors are manufactured by insert molding a non-metallic or ceramicor other non-conductive body around a metallic or otherwise conductivecore. More specifically, the method of manufacturing includes an endeffector for an endoscopic surgical instrument having an actuationmeans, comprising: forming a metallic skeleton by a process chosen fromcasting, stamping or photochemically milling; and molding anon-conductive body around said metallic skeleton. The non-conductivebody having a proximal end with means for coupling to the actuationmeans, and a distal end with means for cutting, gripping, clamping, orotherwise contacting tissue.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,115 which issued on Jul. 15, 1997, relates toa jaw assembly of an endoscopic biotome is formed by cutting ahemispherical end of a spring metal cylinder with electrical dischargeor laser machining equipment to provide opposed jaw cups.

[0006] Although the prior art addresses some of the issues describedabove, it does not address a method of assembly for a non-metallicbiopsy forceps jaw device that allows for easy assembly and the use ofless costly parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide animproved method of assembly of a non-metallic biopsy forceps jaw deviceand a non-metallic biopsy forceps jaw.

[0008] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method of assembling a biopsy forceps jaw device, comprisingpivotally mounting to a single flat support having a single aperture athreaded, self-centering proximal end and a pointed distal end, anintegrally connected non-metallic jaw assembly having a cutting plane.The integrally connected non-metallic jaw assembly pivots about a commonaxis within the single aperture allowing for rotation of the integrallyconnected non-metallic jaw assembly within the cutting plane. A pair ofactuating wires for moving the integrally connected jaw non-metallicassembly from a closed position to an open position are attached to theintegrally connected non-metallic jaw assembly. The ribbed proximal endof single flat support and the pair of actuating wires are inserted intoa tubular member. The integrally connected non-metallic jaw assembly andthe single flat support are centered within the tubular member throughthe threaded self-centering proximal end.

[0009] Conveniently, the integrally non-metallic jaw assembly may be anupper jaw and a lower jaw, wherein a cutting edge is insert moldedand/or snap-connected to the lower jaw for cutting tissue. The upper andlower jaws may be snap-connected to one another.

[0010] Preferably, the threaded self-centering proximal end of thesingle flat support may be screwed into the tubular member therebyself-centering the jaw assembly in the tubular member.

[0011] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention thereis provided a non-metallic flexible biopsy jaw assembly for a biopsyforceps device which may be inserted through an endoscope for theremoval of body tissue from a body cavity, comprising a tubular member,a single flat support having a single aperture and a threaded,self-centering proximal end and a pointed distal end. The proximal endis screwed directly into the tubular member and the single flat supportis self-centered within the tubular member.

[0012] An integrally connected non-metallic jaw assembly having acutting plane is mounted pivotally about a common axis within the singleaperture of the single flat support for rotation of the integrallyconnected jaw assembly within the cutting plane of the integrallyconnected jaw assembly. A pair of actuating wires are snap-connected tothe integrally connected jaw assembly and are slidable relative to thetubular member and the single flat support for moving the integrallyconnected jaw assembly from a closed position to a open position whenactivated.

[0013] Advantages of the present invention include the use ofnon-metallic materials for the biopsy jaws thereby allowing thesnap-connections of the upper and lower jaws and the actuating wiresinto the jaws. Furthermore, the proximal end of the single flat supportis treaded in such a way that the support alone self centers the jawassembly within the tubular member. The assembly of the device inconjunction with the components is such that it is not costly, as wellas reducing the overall time required for assembly. Furthermore, the useof non-metallic components makes the device cheaper and thereforedisposable if desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] A detailed description of the preferred embodiments are providedherein below by way of example only and with reference to the followingdrawings, in which:

[0015]FIG. 1 in a perspective view, illustrates a non-metallic biopsyforceps jaw in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0016]FIG. 2 in an exploded view, illustrates the non-metallic biopsyforceps jaw of FIG. 1.

[0017]FIG. 3 in an exploded view, illustrates the lower jaw of thenon-metallic biopsy forceps jaw.

[0018]FIG. 4 in a perspective view, illustrates the lower jaw ofnon-metallic biopsy forceps jaw of FIG. 1.

[0019]FIG. 5 in a top view, illustrates the upper jaw of thenon-metallic biopsy forceps jaw of FIG. 1.

[0020]FIGS. 6a-c in a cross sectional views taken along the line 6-6,illustrates the snap-connection of the upper and lower jaws of thenon-metallic biopsy forceps jaw of FIG. 1.

[0021]FIG. 7 in a perspective view, illustrates the lower jaw ofnon-metallic biopsy forceps jaw of FIG. 1.

[0022]FIG. 8 in a side elevational view, illustrates the non-metallicbiopsy forceps jaw of FIG. 1 in a closed position.

[0023]FIG. 9 in a side elevational view, illustrates the non-metallicbiopsy forceps jaw of FIG. 1 in an open position.

[0024] In the drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention areillustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that thedescription and drawings are only for the purpose of illustration and asan aid to understanding, and are not intended as a definition of thelimits of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated in a perspectiveand exploded views, a non-metallic flexible biopsy jaw assembly for abiopsy forceps device which may be inserted through an endoscope for theremoval of body tissue from a body cavity in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention. The non-metallic flexible biopsyjaw assembly 10 includes a tubular member 12 and a single flat support14. The single flat support 14 has a single aperture 16, a threaded,self-centering proximal end 18 and a pointed distal end 20. The threadedself-centering proximal end 18 of the single flat support 14 may bescrewed directly into the tubular member 12. The threaded self-centeringproximal end allows for the single flat support and the non-metallicflexible biopsy jaw assembly 10 to be self-centered within the tubularmember 12.

[0026] The non-metallic flexible biopsy jaw assembly 10 further includesan integrally connected non-metallic jaw assembly 22. The integrallyconnected non-metallic jaw assembly 22 has a cutting plane and ismounted pivotally about a common axis within the single aperture 16 ofthe single flat support 14 for rotation of the integrally connectednon-metallic jaw assembly 22 within the cutting plane of the integrallyconnected non-metallic assembly 22. A pair of actuating wires 24 aresnap-connected to the integrally connected non-metallic jaw assembly 22and are slidable relative to the tubular member 12 and the single flatsupport 14. The actuating wires 24 move the integrally connectednon-metallic jaw assembly 22 from a closed position to an open positionwhen activated.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 3, the integrally connected non-metallic jawassembly 22 may be further defined as a lower jaw 26 and a upper jaw 30.The lower jaw 26 may further comprise of a cutting edge 27. The cuttingedge 27 may be metal blade or insert that is insert molded and/orsnap-connected into the lower jaw 26.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 4, 5 and 6 a-c, the integrally connectednon-metallic jaw assembly 22 further includes a single stepped pivothole 28 in the lower jaw 26, and a flexible pin 32 in the upper jaw 30.The flexible pin 32 of the upper jaw 30 passes through the singleaperture 16 of the single flat support member 14 and is snap-connectedto the stepped pivot hole 28 of the lower jaw 26.

[0029] The flexible pin 32 may have a pronged and shaped end 34 forengagement within the stepped pivot hole 28. The stepped pivot hole 28has a narrow entrance 36 into the stepped pivot hole 28 and a widerportion 38. The pronged and shaped end 34 of the flexible pin 32 flexesand engages the narrow entrance 36 and registers with the wider portion38 of the stepped pivot hole 28.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 7, the integrally connected non-metallic jawassembly 22 further includes a stepped aperture 40 in each of the lowerand upper jaws 26 and 30. Referring to FIG. 2, the actuating wires 24further comprise of distal ends 42 that are inserted through the tubularmember 12, and proximal ends 44 having shaped protuberances 46. Theshaped protuberances 46 of the actuating wires 24 register within thestepped apertures 40 of the lower and upper jaws 26 and 30 in asnap-connection.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 2, 8 and 9, there is illustrated in accordancewith another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method ofassembling a Non-metallic biopsy forceps jaw device 10. The method ofassembly includes pivotally mounting to the single flat support 14through the single aperture 16 of the single flat support 14, theintegrally connected non-metallic jaw assembly 22. The integrallyconnected non-metallic jaw assembly 22 can pivot about the common axiswithin the single aperture 16 allowing for rotation of the integrallyconnected non-metallic jaw assembly 22 within the cutting plane.

[0032] The integrally connected non-metallic jaw assembly 22, and morespecifically the lower and upper jaws 26 and 30, are snap-connected toone another, by passing the flexible pin 32 of the upper jaw 30 throughthe single aperture 16 and registering the flexible pin 32 within thestepped pivot hole 28 of the lower jaw 26. The snap-connection betweenthe upper and lower jaws 30 and 26 allows easy assembly of the device10.

[0033] The pair of actuating wires 24 for moving the integrallyconnected jaw non-metallic assembly 22 from a closed position to an openposition are snap-connected to the upper and lower jaws 30 and 26.Specifically, the shaped protuberances 46 of the actuating wires 24register within the stepped apertures 40 of the upper and lower jaws 30and 26 in a similar fashion to that described for the connection betweenthe upper and lower jaws 30 and 26.

[0034] The threaded self-centering proximal end 18 of single flatsupport 14 and proximal ends 42 of the pair of actuating wires 24 areinserted into the tubular member 12. The integrally connectednon-metallic jaw assembly 22 and the single flat support 14 are centeredwithin the tubular member 12 through the threaded self-centeringproximal end 18 of the single flat support 14. The threadedself-centering proximal end 18 of the single flat support 14 is screwedinto the tubular member 12 thereby self-centering the entire jawassembly 10 in the tubular member 12. The tubular member 12 may beeither flexible or rigid.

[0035] As discussed above the integrally non-metallic jaw assembly maybe an upper jaw 30 and a lower jaw 26, wherein a edge 27 may be insertmolded and/or snap-connected into the lower jaw 26. The cutting edge 27may be inserted for enhanced cutting of the tissue. Specifically, thepresent invention allows for the sharp, cutting edge 27 of the lower jaw26 to contact the dull edge 48 of the upper jaw 30 in a similar fashionas seen with the use of a knife on a cutting board. This arrangementtherefore avoids the difficulties seen with radial jaws and the need forperfect alignment for the intermeshing teeth to effectively cut thetissue.

[0036] Other variations and modifications of the invention are possible.All such modifications or variations are believed to be within thesphere and scope of the invention as defined by the claims appendedhereto.

I claim:
 1. A method of assembling a non-metallic biopsy forceps jawdevice, comprising: (a) pivotally mounting to a single flat supporthaving a single aperture a threaded centering proximal end and a pointeddistal end, an integrally connected non-metallic jaw assembly having acutting plane, said integrally connected non-metallic jaw assemblypivoting about a common axis within said single aperture allowing forrotation of said integrally connected non-metallic jaw assembly withinsaid cutting plane; (b) attaching to said integrally connectednon-metallic jaw assembly a pair of actuating wires for moving saidintegrally connected jaw assembly from a closed position to an openposition; (c) inserting into a tubular member said ribbed proximal endof single flat support and said pair of actuating wires; (d) centeringsaid single flat support and said integrally connected non-metallic jawassembly within said tubular member through said threaded centeringproximal end.
 2. A method of assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidthreaded proximal end of said single flat support is screwed into saidtubular member for centering said integrally connected non-metallic jawassembly and said single flat support within said tubular member.
 3. Amethod of assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said integrallyconnected non-metallic jaw assembly is defined as a lower jaw and anupper jaw, and further comprising inserting into said lower jaw acutting edge.
 4. A method of assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein saidcutting edge is metal blade or insert that is insert molded and/orsnap-connected into said lower jaw.
 5. A method of assembly as claimedin claim 4 wherein said metal blade or insert mold contacts saidnon-metallic upper jaw when activated to a closed position.
 6. A methodof assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said lower jaw furthercomprises a stepped pivot aperture and said upper jaw further comprisesflexible pin for registering within said stepped aperture.
 7. A methodas claimed in claim 6, wherein said flexible pin has a pronged andshaped end for engagement within said stepped pivot aperture.
 8. Amethod of assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said stepped pivotaperture has a narrow entrance into said stepped pivot aperture and awider portion whereby said pronged and shaped end of said flexible pinflexes and engages said narrow entrance and expands into said widerportion of said stepped pivot aperture.
 9. A method of assembly asclaimed in claim 8 wherein said pronged and shaped end of said flexiblepin locks said upper jaw to said lower jaw in a snap-connection.
 10. Amethod of assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein said upper and lowerjaws each have a single stepped aperture for receiving said actuatingwires.
 11. A method of assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein saidactuating wires further comprises distal ends for insertion into saidtubular member and proximal ends having shaped protuberances.
 12. Amethod of assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein said shapedprotuberances of said actuating wires register within said steppedapertures in a snap-connection.